Festival Watch is a Tomorrow’s Verse feature that breaks festival news into the facts that you need to know.
Goose Island 312 Block Party - September 21 & 22
Headliners To Watch
TV On The Radio - Brooklyn art-rock staples TV On The Radio are known for an impressive live show, making them a perfect headliner for the fest. Combining classic rock influence with modern indie and electronic sounds, these guys remain some of the most consistently quality songwriters of the last two decades.
Drive-By Truckers - Southern rock and Americana pioneers the Drive-By Truckers will headline on Saturday night. Combining gritty, electric country-rock with traded vocal duties and an endless arsenal of material to choose from, this band is practically made for the festival circuit.
The Hold Steady - Craig Finn’s longtime band The Hold Steady will also perform Saturday. With a sound that combines arena rock with a modern alternative and indie twist, their set will provide another hard-hitting option for fans of rock ’n roll
The Undercards
Sunflower Bean - Another Brooklyn band featured on the bill, psychedelic indie-rockers Sunflower Bean will perform on Friday night. The trio combines a clean sound with classic influences to create a accessible and infectious whole, and certainly gets our recommendation.
Lillie Mae - Country and bluegrass singer-songwriter Lillie Mae got her biggest publicity boost touring on fiddle in Jack White’s band during the Lazeretto era. Yet, Mae has established herself as a prominent force on her own after signing to Jack White’s Third Man Records and releasing her debut solo record in 2017.
Local Talent
Mick Jenkins - Chicago-based hip-hop artist Mick Jenkins is a prominent name in the underground scene, having released a number of mix-tapes over the last decade and a debut full-length in 2016. Known for pushing the boundaries of the genre and unlikely collaborators, his presence at the festival is sure to draw a crowd.
You Need To Know
Located outside of Goose Island’s production facility on Fulton Street, 312 Block Party asks for a donation of $10 to a charity of your choice for entry. Once inside, the festival offers a more than 20 Goose Island beers, in addition to food vendors.
The Bottom Line
To host a music festival with five total acts on the bill may be bold, but Goose Island does it right. With each band offering a different sound but remaining a venerable name, the festival is certainly a draw, often reaching capacity by the early evening.
The Lineup
Friday: TV On The Radio, Sunflower Bean, Mick Jenkins
Satuday: Drive-By Truckers, The Hold Steady, Lillie Mae
